The opening goal came just 10 minutes gone as Everton were called for a soft foul on the left flank. Holden stepped up to deliver the free kick to Gary Cahill whose snapping header bounced off the arm of Johnny Heitinga and past Howard.

Bolton made it two through loan star Daniel Sturridge as the Chelsea man made it three goals in as many games for the Trotters. Bolton refused to let the ball out of the penalty area and second half sub Chung-yong Lee's eventual header fell to Sturridge who let rip from six yards out on a half volley.

Holden thought he had made it three when Sturridge played a backheel pass after taking it to the byline but the referee immediately blew his whistle after Holden's point blank finish flew past Howard. Only John Elmander was booked in the feisty affair as the referee opted to keep his cards in his pocket.

Bolton face Wigan on Wednesday in the FA Cup while Everton face Chelsea on Saturday.

Blackpool 1 - 1 Aston Villa

Michael Bradley was a second half sub as 10 man Aston Villa drew at Blackpool.

Bradley subbed out Gabriel Agbonlahor in the 72nd minute after Villa were reduced to 10 men just a minute earlier. Agbonlahor had already left his mark on the game, however, having scored in the 10th minute to give Villa their early lead.

Jean Makoun put in a tackle deep in his own half which sprung a quick counterattack that sent Agbonlahor on his way. The striker sat the keeper down with a fake pass before rounding him to finish into an empty net. Two Blackpool defenders could have made the clearance but overran the ball as it trickled in behind them.

Just four minutes later Blackpool were back on level terms through a Charlie Adams corner kick. Ellit Grandin made the near post run and flicked the ball in past Brad Friedel who had no chance. Villa were reduced to ten men just past the 70th minute when Makoun made a reckless challenge on DJ Campbell which forced the introduction of Bradley to solidify the midfield.

Ashley Young was booked for dissent in the 93rd minute, while Blackpool players Alex Baptiste and Ian Evatt were booked. Villa next face Blackburn on Saturday.

Blackburn 0 - 0 Newcastle

Jermaine Jones attempted some early flair but Blackburn could only hold on for a draw at home to Newcastle.

Jones attempted to recreate Wayne Rooney's wonder goal to put Blackburn in the lead early in the game but was instead penalized for a high kick on Mike Williamson. Roque Santa Cruz came the closest, hitting Newcastle's post but Peter Lovenkrands nearly beat Paul Robinson with a brilliant chip that clipped the crossbar before bouncing away harmlessly.

Michael Salgado got a yellow card for Blackburn while Joey Barton, Jonas Guiterrez, and Cheick Tiote were booked for Newcastle. Blackburn play Aston Villa on Saturday.

Leeds 2-0 Bristol City

Eric Lichaj helped Leeds United to a win over Bristol City in his first appearance since arriving.

Lichaj started and went the distance for the Peacocks.

The win now extends Leeds' unbeaten streak to five games.

Robert Snodgrass opened the scoring for Leeds in the 17th minute after he created space for himself and impressively scored passed Bristol City goalie David James.

It was not until the 50th minute of the game when Leeds doubled their lead. A Snodgrass shot took a deflection and landed neatly to Max Gradel, who made no mistake and scored.

The Robins were unlucky not to find the back of the net in a sequence that saw both Albert Adomah and Marvin Elliot hit the crossbar in the 75h minute of the game.

Jamie McCallister received a yellow card for Bristol while Bradley Johnson was booked for Leeds.

Leeds next takes on Zak Whitbread and Norwich City, while Bristol City plays Leicester on Friday.

Hull City 1-0 Preston North End

Brad Guzan and Hull City got the better of Eddie Johnson and Preston North End in Championship play this weekend.

Guzan started and went the distance for the Tigers while Eddie Johnson did the same for Preston.

Preston have are now winless in their last six games and have not won a league game period since December 11th.

Hull on the other hand extended their unbeaten streak to seven games with the win.

Anthony Gerrard scored the only goal of the game for Hull right before halftime. His towering header ended up being the game winner for the Tigers.

Early in the second half Johnson shot impressively from 25 yards out but was left empty handed.

Guzan was credited with three saves for Hull City.

David Gray received the only yellow card of the game for Preston.

Hull next take on Ipswich while Preston play Watford this Tuesday.

Carlisle United 0-1 Southampton

Frank Simek and Carlisle United went down to Southampton in League One action.

Simek started and played the full ninety minutes for the Cumbrians.

Gary Borrowdale received two yellow cards and was sent off for Carlisle in the final stages of the first half, leaving the Cumbrians handicapped for the majority of the game.

Just a minute after the red card, Southampton's Guly Do Prado sent in a cross that was finished by Richard Lambert.

Richard Chaplow, Do Prado, and Lee Barnard were booked for Southampton while Tom Taiwo and Lubomir Michalik received yellows for Carlisle. Borrowdale received the aforementioned red card for the Cumbrians.

Carlisle play Oldham in the midweek while Southampton take on Rochdale next weekend.

Notes:

Marcus Hahnemann was on the bench as Arsenal cruised to a 2-0 win at home over Wolves.

Jonathan Spector played out the final 10 minutes as West Ham came back from three goals down to earn a 3-3 draw at West Brom.

Clint Dempsey and Fulham face next door neighbors Chelsea on Monday.

Zak Whitbread played the final 11 minutes in Norwich City's win over Reading.